The time for developing a palpable tumour in HOXB9 knockdown ALDH+CD44+CXCR4+CD24+ cells was significantly longer than that of ALDH+ CD44+ CXCR4+ CD24+ cells (Fig. 6g), and the tumour weights (Fig. 6h), and the number of metastatic foci (Fig. 6i) were significantly decreased in HOXB9 knockdown ALDH+CD44+CXCR4+CD24+ cells compared with those of ALDH+ CD44+ CXCR4+ CD24+ cells. The gene discussed is CXCR4; the disease is neoplasm.